New SEND School

Zenith Trust has been appointed to run a new Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) school in Rayleigh.

Following a rigorous selection process, the Department for Education formally approved Essex County Council’s recommendation of our Trust as the sponsor for the new, two-site school. The council has also selected Kier Construction to design and build the school.

As part of the plans, 150 places will be created at a site on the Wolsey Park development, off Rawreth Lane, Rayleigh. This will be the first SEND school in the Rochford district. Another 40 places will also be created at the former Chetwood Primary School site in South Woodham Ferrers, taking the school’s total capacity to 190 pupils.

The school is due to open between September 2026 and January 2027.

As plans evolve, in conjunction with Essex LA, we will add a list of FAQs to provide further information to all stakeholders.